
Health experts warn Trump cuts to the CDC could hurt overdose prevention: ‘A step backwards'
US overdose deaths began to decline for the first time in 2023 after climbing for over two decades.
The CDC's Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) cooperative agreement, launched in 2019 during the first Trump administration, provides funding for overdose 'prevention and surveillance strategies'. Public health officials emphasized to the Guardian that to effectively reduce fatal overdoses, agencies must work in tandem to track substance use disorders, overdoses and changes in the drug supply, and to implement interventions, like distributing the overdose reversal drug naloxone. OD2A funding made this kind of robust response possible.
The Biden administration expanded the program in 2023, giving five year grants to 90 state and local public health departments.
'The funding has largely been used for surveillance, in other words, to obtain data on the opioid crisis that informs a public health response to the problem,' said Dr Andrew Kolodny, medical director for the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University.
'In general, our surveillance data for the opioid crisis is awful. I would even say that one of the reasons that the opioid crisis is as severe as it is, and why, up until recently, overdose deaths have continued to go up pretty much year after year for about 25 years, is because we had very poor surveillance of the problem.'
But now, health officials worry the money could run out at the end of the first two year cycle on 1 September.
Dr Jenny Hua, interim deputy commissioner for Chicago's department of public health (CDPH), which receives $3.4m annually in OD2A funding, says they're preparing for the worst.
'We are doing scenario planning. The preferred scenario is that we have the entire award starting the first of August,' she said, though she's uncertain whether that's likely.
Hua noted that what she's been 'told about this money is that at least half of it is available next year. The problem is that for a number of [the CDC's] cooperative agreements with local health departments and state health departments, they're receiving that money in monthly increments, which has never happened before.'
She also said that the CDC now doesn't have enough money at once to distribute.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said in a statement that CDC is committed to the O2DA program and that: 'We are working closely with our funding partners to make within the next month, at a minimum, initial grant awards, which may contain less than the full-year of funding in the first incremental award … This incremental funding approach is not specific to OD2A.'
Hua said 'that sort of fog is making it incredibly difficult for us to make funding decisions, to allocate our resources.'
The CDPH has used OD2A funding to make same day substance use disorder treatment available to patients through telehealth, and had plans to expand recovery housing for treatment.
'Do you pull the plug? What tea leaves are we supposed to read, to know what course of action to take?' Hao wondered.
Kolodny said it's especially important to keep funding surveillance of multiple factors related to overdose deaths because 'right now, you can talk to five different experts, and you'll get five different explanations for why the deaths are coming down. Nobody really knows, right? And that's because we don't have good surveillance data,' he said, 'and it's about to get worse.'
Surveillance means tracking not only the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the US, but also the prevalence of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. Historically, this has been the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa), which also provides a plethora of other addiction and overdose prevention services, but that agency also faces funding cuts.
OD2A funding also went towards surveillance of 'emergency drug threats' which often comes in the form of new adulterants in the street drug supply. Unexpected substances, including tranquilizers like xylazine, and potent synthetic opioids like nitazenes and carfentanil, can cause overdoses and poisonings that are more dangerous because they aren't yet well understood.
Still, many health departments across the country do not monitor the street drug supply.
Street drug surveillance can help officials intervene rapidly when overdoses increase. Partly thanks to OD2A funding, Chicago health officials immediately became aware of a spike in overdoses on the city's west side last May.
Lab analysis revealed the spike was related to the presence of medetomidine, a potent veterinary tranquilizer, in the street drug supply. In June, the CDPH launched the Summer Opioid Response Incident Command System, a coordinated effort involving public messaging about the contaminated drug supply, distribution of naloxone and drug testing kits, and expanding access to treatment. This effort reduced overdose related emergency responses by 23% last summer compared to the year before, according to a report on the program.
The Los Angeles department of public health also uses OD2A funding for 'community-based drug checking', according to a statement from a spokesperson; 'The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently announced a 22% decline in drug-related overdose deaths and poisonings in 2024, the most significant drop in LA County history,' adding that 'the CDC Overdose to Action LOCAL grant award contributed to these successes.'
A spokesperson for the Maryland department of health said that cuts could mean layoffs for 28 public health workers, which would mean they no longer have the capacity to track non-fatal overdoses and will lose most of their capacity to track fatal overdoses.
Tracking the number of people who die of overdoses is the 'bare minimum' of surveillance, according to Kolodny, who noted that funding cuts are 'frustrating' to witness.
'Trump has been especially popular in some of the regions of the country that have suffered most from the opioid crisis. So one might think that his administration would be doing everything it can to bring this problem to an end. And in my opinion, this is a step backwards,' he said.
Funding overdose prevention doesn't just save lives, it also saves money, Kolodny said: 'The opioid crisis is a trillion dollar a year problem, and I'm not making up that number. That's a number that comes in part from the cost analysis on the number of lives that are lost.'
Lives will continue to be lost until we can really understand what drives overdose deaths, Kolodny said: 'Without the data, we're shooting in the dark.'

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The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sprains, strains and ACL tears: What to know about some of NFL players' most common injuries
Some of the most important players on NFL teams are those that might not necessarily start the season on the field. Depth is crucial during a rigorous 17-game regular-season schedule that's preceded by a month of training camp practices in hot conditions as players try to make team's 53-man active rosters. Injuries can play as big a role in an NFL team's successes or failures as the best game plans. So being able to navigate injuries and ailments to key players could make all the difference between a team seeing its season sink or making the playoffs. Here's a look at some of the most common injuries suffered by NFL players throughout the season: Achilles tendon tears The Achilles is the longest and strongest tendon in the body and stretches from the heel to the calf. It's a springy band located behind the ankle and just above the heel that helps players push off their feet, jump and accelerate. Due to overuse or excessive force placed on the tendon, it can tear or rupture. Surgery is typically necessary to reconnect the ends, sidelining a player for several months because of the extensive rehabilitation needed. ACL /PCL/MCL/LCL tears The anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral and lateral collateral ligaments are all located in the knee and serve different purposes. The ACL connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the front of the knee. While a sprain could sideline a player for a few weeks, a tear can end a season. The PCL is located behind the ACL, crisscrossing it to form an "X" in the center of the knee. The MCL connects the thigh bone to the shin bone on the inner side of the knee, while the LCL connects the thigh bone to the top of the lower leg, or fibula, and is located on the outer side of the knee. Concussions A concussion is a brain injury caused by a hit to the head or a sudden movement that causes the head and brain to shake violently. Symptoms may include headaches, neck pain, nausea, dizziness and feeling sluggish. The NFL has been regularly testing and upgrading helmets for players to help reduce the risk of concussions. Eight position-specific helmets for quarterbacks and linemen were approved by the NFL and the NFL Players Association last year. Several players also have worn Guardian Caps, soft, protective helmet covers that the NFL authorized players to use during games last season in an effort to reduce head injuries. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions and can only be diagnosed posthumously. It can cause memory loss, depression and violent mood swings. Hamstring injuries The hamstring is a group of four muscles that run along the back of the thigh, stretching from the hip to the knee, and they help a person bend their leg at the knee. These injuries vary in severity, and in turn, their timetable in sidelining a player. A mild pull of one of the muscles, commonly referred to as a Grade I injury, can sideline a player for a few days to a couple of weeks and can be a lingering condition if not sufficiently rested and healed. A Grade II hamstring injury involves a partial tear, while a Grade III injury is a complete tear of the hamstring that could require surgery and is likely season-ending. High ankle sprains When a player suffers a high ankle sprain, the ligaments above the ankle — which connect the tibia to the fibula — are affected rather than the ligaments outside the ankle in a low ankle sprain. High ankle sprains take much longer to recover from — six to eight weeks, and sometimes longer — than a classic ankle sprain, which might sideline a player for several days to a couple of weeks. Hip pointers The injury could sideline a player for a week or a couple of months, depending on the severity. A hip pointer is bruising in the pelvis and abdomen area, usually caused by blunt force, such as a hard tackle. The bleeding can affect several other muscles in the area, making it difficult to run or even walk. Lisfranc injuries A serious foot injury that can be career-threatening because of its complexity. A Lisfranc sprain or fracture is an injury in the middle of the foot in which at least one (or sometimes, all) of the small bones (or metatarsals) is broken or the ligaments that support the foot in that area are torn. Even a minor sprain not requiring surgical repair could take six to eight weeks to heal. Meniscus tears The meniscus is a crescent-shaped rubbery disk of cartilage that serves as a shock absorber on the inside and outer edges of the knee. Both help a person balance weight across the knee. When a meniscus is torn, the knee can lock up and swell. A minor tear can be treated with rest, but a severe tear could require surgery that may sideline a player for several weeks or months. Oblique strains An oblique strain involves the muscles on the side of the body between the ribs and pelvis. This type of injury can occur when a player takes a hard hit to the waist area or from overuse or sudden use of the muscles — for instance, a quarterback throwing a pass or a defensive back turning to defend a receiver. Oblique strains are usually treated with rest and could take a few weeks to heal, or could become a lingering issue otherwise. Patellar tendon injuries The patellar tendon allows a person to straighten a leg by acting with the quadriceps. Technically, it's a ligament because it connects the kneecap to the shin bone. Complete tears or ruptures often need to be surgically sewn back together and recovery is typically at least four to six months. Plantar fasciitis An injury that affects the bottom of the foot and can lead to intense heel pain. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the ligament supporting the arch of the foot — the plantar fascia — is strained and worsens when small tears develop in the ligament. The injury can sap players of speed while they deal with it. Rest, icing of the arch and finding new footwear are among typical treatments. It can linger for months. Turf toe An extremely painful injury that can sideline players for months. It occurs when the ligaments under the joint of the big toe are sprained or ruptured as a result of the toe being hyperextended. The injury makes it extremely difficult to push off and cut while running. ___

Reuters
8 minutes ago
- Reuters
Wyatt Foundation and Conceive Fertility Foundation Announce IVF Grant Recipients to Support Fertility Access, Education, and Research
HOUSTON, TX, July 23, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Wyatt Foundation, opens new tab and Conceive Fertility Foundation, opens new tab, two national nonprofit organizations dedicated to furthering access, education, and research in fertility care, today announce the 2025 recipients of their national IVF Grant Program. Five recipients will receive a $15,000 grant to offset IVF treatment costs. Additionally, each recipient will also receive $1,000 to be used towards preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), courtesy of CooperSurgical, opens new tab, a leader in the fertility and women's health fields for nearly 35 years. The national campaign and partnership launched in April 2025 during National Infertility Awareness Week and drew in over 600 applicants from across the country, each with moving stories of their journeys. 'Each applicant shared her own unique story of infertility, but what united them all was a journey marked by heartbreak, stress, and profound disappointment. This reinforces that the emotional toll of infertility is both real and powerful,' says health psychologist Dr. Alice D. Domar, chief compassion officer at Inception Fertility and director of the Inception Research Institute. 'We hope that through this program, we are able to further the conversation around fertility care and the need for greater access to it.' Recipients of the grant program include aspiring parents who each carry powerful stories of perseverance through the heartbreak of infertility. Their journeys reflect a wide range of challenges, including pregnancy and infant loss, failed IVF cycles, genetic conditions, and male factor infertility. Despite these obstacles, they remain determined to build their families. The nonprofit arm of Inception Fertility, opens new tab, the largest provider of fertility services in North America, the Wyatt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of building a family through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The organization was started by TJ Farnsworth, the founder and CEO of Inception Fertility, and his wife Margaret Farnsworth, who successfully conceived their first child, Wyatt, through IVF. 'Inception Fertility and the Wyatt Foundation are honored to once again support this program, which provides recipients with access to the essential care they need on their family-building journeys,' says Margaret Farnsworth, executive director of the Wyatt Foundation. 'We extend our heartfelt wishes to each recipient as they continue on their path to parenthood.' Conceive Fertility Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Caden Lane, opens new tab, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand of baby products focused around the birth of a child. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Conceive Fertility Foundation aims to support patients who have been impacted by the struggle of infertility through education and grants. Katy Mimari, CEO of Caden Lane, launched Conceive Fertility Foundation after her own experience with infertility and understanding the financial barriers that prevent some aspiring parents from building their families. A percentage of Caden Lane's profits go to the Conceive Fertility Foundation. "Conceive Fertility Foundation and the Caden Lane family are thrilled to once again work alongside Inception Fertility and provide women with the opportunity to experience the extraordinary joy of having a baby,' says Mimari. "We look forward to following each recipient's journey and send our warmest wishes as they move forward." About Wyatt Foundation Wyatt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of building a family through assisted reproductive technology (ART) by reducing the financial barriers to IVF through scholarships awarded based on financial need and clinical factors determining potential success. The foundation has two main goals: to provide financial assistance to individuals and couples who cannot afford fertility treatments and to fund research in the field of infertility. The organization was started by TJ Farnsworth the founder and CEO of Inception Fertility™ and his wife Margaret who successfully conceived their first child through IVF. Upon the birth of their son Wyatt, TJ reflected back on his family's experience as patients. He realized that many aspiring parents were carrying the same emotional burden that he and his wife had — and that few fertility clinics took a holistic approach to consider the physical, psychological, financial and mental aspects of infertility. To learn more, visit: opens new tab About Conceive Fertility Foundation Founded by Katy Mimari, CEO of Caden Lane, opens new tab, Conceive Fertility Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting individuals affected by infertility through education and grants. Despite insurance covering diagnostics, treatment costs are a significant financial burden and Conceive Fertility is a non-profit organization that exists to help couples who are struggling to conceive. A portion of sales from Caden Lane go to support the mission of the Conceive Fertility Foundation. To learn more, visit opens new tab. About Inception Fertility Inception Fertility™ (Inception) is a family of fertility brands committed to helping patients build their own families. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science and medicine in an effort to enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes. Inception's medical experts are leading pioneers in fertility care. Our doctors are some of the first to use breakthrough assisted reproductive technologies (ART) — including in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and fertility preservation services — and they continue to lead the industry by building on these technologies through development, research and thought leadership. Through its growing family of national organizations — which includes The Prelude Network, opens new tab®, the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in North America; MyEggBank, opens new tab®, one of the largest frozen donor egg banks in North America; BUNDL Fertility, opens new tab™, a multi-cycle fertility service bundling program; HavenCryo, opens new tab™, a long-term reproductive preservation and storage solution provider and NutraBloom, opens new tab®, a premium lifestyle brand with expertly formulated supplements to support individuals' health and wellness goals for preconception — Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible for exceeding patient expectations. For more information, visit opens new tab. About CooperSurgical CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most in life. CooperSurgical is at the forefront of delivering innovative assisted reproductive technology (ART) and genomic solutions that enhance the work of ART professionals to the benefit of families. We currently offer over 600 clinically relevant medical devices to women's healthcare providers, including testing and treatment options. CooperSurgical is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO). CooperSurgical, headquartered in Trumbull, CT, produces and markets a wide array of products and services for use by women's healthcare clinicians. More information can be found at opens new tab. About CooperCompanies CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on helping people experience life's beautiful moments through its two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, helping to improve the way people see each day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 16,000, sells products in over 130 countries, and positively impacts over 50 million lives each year. For more information, visit opens new tab., opens new tab Media Contact Mia Humphreys+1 239-297-6592mhumphreys@ ### SOURCE: Wyatt Foundation Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire


The Guardian
30 minutes ago
- The Guardian
How do I stay healthy in my 50s, 60s and 70s?
Staying healthy in your 50s, 60s and 70s means adapting to wear and tear, but also embracing all the different ways to thrive. By focusing on some common areas – like nutrition, exercise and meaningful connections – you can age well in every decade. Here's what you need to know to extend the quality of life in these decades. Entering midlife, a person's health needs can begin to change. Sometimes these changes can be challenging, but there is 'plasticity to ageing', says Nathan LeBrasseur, director of the Mayo Clinic's Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, and you do have some control over the process. What are normal signs of ageing and how does your body change in your 50s? Wear and tear on the body's cells and molecules increases the risk of ageing-related diseases, says LeBrasseur. Biological age is a measure of these cellular and molecular changes over time. It captures how old your body appears based on biomarkers, like telomere length, and how well your body is functioning. Biological age is a better measure of healthspan, or years of generally good health, than chronological age, or how many years you've been alive. Lifestyle factors, like if you smoke or drink, influence how you age – and focusing on your health now will help in the future. For some, the menopausal transition may begin between the ages of 45 and 55 and is linked to symptoms including hot flashes, mood changes and sleep disturbances. Women may also experience vaginal dryness or decreased sex drive, while men may begin to experience erectile dysfunction. What health tests should you get regularly in your 50s? To extend your healthy years, take preventive and proactive measures. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends an annual skin cancer screening for anyone over 40, and talking to a healthcare provider about colorectal cancer screenings, yearly mammograms, and lung and prostate cancer screenings. In the UK, the NHS offers a free health check to people aged 40 to 70 without certain pre-existing conditions. It includes blood pressure and cholesterol tests, and checks your risk of health issues like diabetes and stroke. At 50, you're also eligible for NHS breast, bowel and cervical cancer screenings. What are the keys to longevity? Heart health is vital, as is being mindful of your nutrition and exercise. A diet rich in plants, whole grains, healthy fats and lean meats can improve your health. A diversity of physical activity – focusing on endurance, cardio, flexibility and balance – is crucial. It's never too late to start, and what you do over many years will have a long-term impact, says LeBrasseur. Your 60s are a period of change. For many, this decade is marked by shifting family dynamics with adult children or new health challenges. What are normal signs of ageing and how does your body change in your 60s? Getting older, and the physical changes that accompany it, vary person to person. 'We're all more vulnerable to things as we get older, but there's a lot of heterogeneity of health status among older people,' says Jennifer Schrack, director of the Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health. Older adults may walk more slowly because of pain or emerging balance problems, says Schrack, and osteoarthritis symptoms causing discomfort may emerge as well. As the body ages, the immune system weakens and the risk factor for age-related diseases increases since the body takes longer to fight off infection. Memory tends to change, and forgetfulness is common as you age, explains Dr Angela Sanford, a care provider and associate professor of geriatric medicine at St Louis University. It's common to see processing speed slow, and for multitasking to become a bigger challenge. If you worry about forgetfulness, a doctor can advise on cognitive screening tests. In your 60s, sleep may become more disrupted, with studies indicating that 40 to 50% of those over 60 report difficulty sleeping. What health tests should you get regularly in your 60s? People in their 60s should be mindful to have regular bloodwork done, says Sanford. An annual eye exam, screening for colorectal cancer and diabetes, are also recommended. Women should have mammograms and test bone density, which declines during menopause. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion What are the keys to longevity? Genetics, lifestyle choices and environment are the factors that most affect your health, says Schrack. Regular appointments with a healthcare provider benefit all older people, Schrack says, and preventive care can improve longevity. Mobility and staying active contribute to quality of life as does maintaining positive relationships. Today's septuagenarians are different. 'Many transitions that are happening now at 70 are the types of transitions people in previous generations might have experienced in their early 60s,' says Jeffrey Stokes, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston who studies ageing. People in this age group now have longer life expectancy, and are also becoming grandparents and retiring later than previous generations. What are normal signs of ageing and how does your body change in your 70s? Some medical conditions and functional problems, like decreased mobility and impaired balance, become more common as people age, according to Dr Mark Lachs, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. However, lifestyle factors play a role, and how much you feel these changes will be very individualized. And while there is no one 'normal' way to age, it is common to experience health challenges like arthritis, hypertension or increased trouble sleeping. In comparison to earlier decades, your 70s can be quite stable – especially for women who have already experienced menopause. What health tests should you get regularly in your 70s? Many recommended screenings are framed as guidelines for those above 65 in the US and UK. This reflects a lack of research and that screenings become more complicated as we age, says Dr Deborah Kado, a professor of medicine and co-director of the Stanford Longevity Center. It can be difficult to provide general recommendations because individual needs at this stage can vary. Some screenings to consider are for bone mineral density and functional limitations (to see, if for example, you are at risk for falling), according to Dr Mark Lachs, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. What are the keys to longevity? Movement is important, says Lachs, and any kind of cardiovascular exercise at modest levels will help. Relationships, both casual and close, can improve a person's health and sense of purpose, says Stokes. While many people in their 70s will have deep, meaningful relationships – like those with children and grandchildren – there's often less emphasis on fostering new connections. Targeting this can help improve the loneliness and isolation faced by many in their oldest years, says Stokes. Adequate sleep – at least seven to nine hours each night – and a diet that contains less meat and more plans can contribute to overall longevity, too.